Session 9 2 Kings 7:1-15

SKEPTICS (2 KINGS 7:12-15)

the king’s confusion.

12 So the king got up in the night and said to his servants,
“Let me tell you what the Arameans have done to us.
They know we are starving, so they have left the camp to hide in the open country,
thinking, ‘When they come out of the city, we will take them alive
and go into the city.’”
13 But one of his servants responded,
“Please, let messengers take five of the horses that are left in the city.
Their fate is like the entire Israelite community who will die,
so let’s send them and see.”
14 The messengers took two chariots with horses,
and the king sent them after the Aramean army, saying,
“Go and see.”
15 So they followed them as far as the Jordan.
They saw that the whole way was littered with clothes and equipment
the Arameans had thrown off in their haste.
The messengers returned and told the king.

Guide:

Too good to be true

Ask for a show of hands from those who have heard the advice (or given the advice),
“if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

Ask:

• In what ways was the king’s reluctance and the servant’s encouragement similar to the story of Naaman’s response to bathing in the Jordan River in last week’s study?

Transition:

The “rest of the story” is that Elisha’s prophecies came true.
The people of Samaria collected the soldiers’ food and supplies.
Everyone had food to eat
and it sold for the exact prices Elisha had foretold in his prophecy.

SUMMARIZE AND CHALLENGE

Review:

Read aloud the Summary Statements under Apply the Text (p. 80).

Ask:

~
• What evidence do you see that God is able to bring hope out of what seems to be a hopeless situation?
  ~@

  Analyze:

  Lead the group to work in pairs or threes
  to response to these questions:

  ~
  • What keeps skeptics from investigating the truth of the gospel for themselves?
  • How can we take a gentle approach when we share our faith with them
  • (2 Tim. 2:24-26)?
  
  Then call for volunteers to share their responses with the whole group.

  Challenge:

  Challenge the group to reflect on the first question set from page 80
  throughout this coming week as they complete each Daily Exploration.

  Pray:

  Close in prayer,
  thanking Him for providing for our needs.
  Pray that we will look for fresh ways to trust Him in the days ahead.

  AFTER THE SESSION

  Reinforce the study by evaluating the various ways God is meeting your needs right now. Thank God for the way He meets needs. Share your thoughts with the group and encourage them to do the same.

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